BarkingProse - Part 28

As I Lie Dying

by Shiloh • September 30, 2015

Shiloh

It’s only since I’ve been at Asherpark that I’ve thought much about my life and the strange twists and turns it has taken.

When I was younger and with my mother, I lived day to day hoping for something to eat and water to drink. Many days we had neither.

During the dark times when we were crated for months and starved, I had no hope at all.

Those of you who have heard my story know that when death from starvation was only a few days away, a miracle happened.

My mother, Mama, and I were rescued by the police and taken away from the man who nearly killed us. Caring people brought us back to life in California and then we found our way to Asherpark.

I will never understand why our human mom at Asherpark agreed to take us in. Mama and I were a project from the very beginning. Our needs were enormous and we had little to offer. We weren’t even friendly when we first arrived.

Mama was so terrified of strangers she wouldn’t let anyone touch her. We huddled together on our shared bed and waited for bad things to happen. But nothing bad ever happened to us.

In time I began to understand the purpose of Asherpark. It’s a place where broken dogs come to heal.

Day by day Mama and I began to trust our new humans. We got brave enough to sleep on separate beds. Sometimes Mama even went exploring around the big backyard without me. There were holidays and special occasions and we were part of it all.

Our time together at Asherpark was brief but wonderful. Mama found her voice and often howled with the coyotes, who urged her to join them.

Then it was over. The years of bad or no food, the lack of medical care, the stress of keeping me alive while she was starving took its toll. Mama had come to the end of her journey.

The vet came. The people wept. Mama died in the arms of our human mom.

My time to cross over is not far off. Mama will be waiting for me. I, too, will die cradled in the arms of my human mom. Her tears will mix with mine as we whisper our goodbyes to each other.

So it has been since people and dogs recognized the longing of their spirits for each other. So it will be in the years ahead. Mama and I will wait at the far side of the bridge to welcome home the souls who pass through Asherpark. That is what dogs do. That is what love is about.

Mama & Shiloh

Journey

I’m Not Happy

by Shiloh • September 27, 2015

Shiloh

I hate to rain on Asher’s parade, but the addition of Journey to our pack is quite unfortunate.

It’s true she’s cute as a bug and looks so much like Asher that all I see is two blue blurs racing around after each other.

But for heaven’s sake. I spent my first two years at Asherpark avoiding Tess, who could not abide my insistence on growling at her.

Even though she terrorized me whenever possible, I had a fondness for the red girl and miss her petulant ways.

After Tess died, life was so peaceful at Asherpark. I could come and go as I wished, never having to look over my shoulder or wonder if Tess was going to launch.

Then the mindless puppy showed up. I know mom hoped I would welcome Journey and perhaps even play with her.

Two years ago I think that would have been the case. I played wildly with a puppy in my foster home, but that was then and this is now.

I’m older, sick with an anal gland tumor, missing my Mama, and contemplating the end of my life.

To make my dislike known, I bit Journey on her second day at Asherpark. Such a pitiful wailing from the little pup, you would have think I killed her.

It’s true, I did draw blood, but puppies are resilient and she healed quickly.

That nip resulted in the only real scolding I ever received at Asherpark. Mom pointed her finger at me, looked me in the eye, and read me the rules. I was to leave the puppy alone, and mom would make sure separation was maintained.

That was the best possible outcome. I didn’t want the mouthy little thing anywhere near me.

So once again we are living separate lives at Asherpark. Journey and I take turns being free in the house, with Journey limited to short periods. I get the lion’s share of house time, a benefit of my age and fragile condition.

Mom says it’s not so bad right now because Journey can’t run free in the house anyway. Journey spends a goodly amount of time tethered, which helps with her training.

I pretend I have no interest in Journey, but at night when she is crated I slip onto the bed next to her and watch her sleep. She is an incredibly beautiful little pup.

If the truth be known, I am glad there is a new life at Asherpark. Things were so sad as one dog after another died of illness or old age. We lost three dogs in nine months, including my own mother.

Perhaps I will live long enough to see Journey mature. It would be nice to see her blossom into her adult self. I wish her a long and healthy life. I know she has already brought much happiness to Asher.

Good luck, Journey. I mean you no harm.

Journey

The Journey Home

by Asher • September 26, 2015

For weeks we’ve been waiting for my puppy to get old enough to leave her home and come to Asherpark.

She was born at Chandrea Farms in eastern Washington, same place I was born. Her father is my stepbrother, so I guess that makes me her half uncle.

When the day finally came to get Journey I begged mom to go with her, but mom said I had to stay home with Shiloh. Something about it being too long a drive and too crazy for the puppy if I was in the car messing with her.

Mom took off by herself to go fetch my puppy. She told me it would be late the next day before she returned, and I should concentrate on finding my old toys for the puppy to play with.

The hours dragged by. I kept looking at the clock. Why couldn’t I hear the car coming up the gravel road. Where were they??!!

And then I heard them. The distinctive sound of mom’s old car turning down our driveway.

I held my breath and said a quick prayer to Tess. I thanked Tess for all the good times we had together and asked her to help me raise my puppy to be brave like her.

When I saw Journey I let out a roar of a bark that terrified her. She ran back into her crate and huddled in the corner.

I felt so bad, I got down on my belly and crawled into her little space. I licked her all over and told her how happy I was that she had come to Asherpark.

I promised Journey I would take good care of her and teach her everything she needed to know. I whispered that I had been waiting for her forever and we were going to be soulmates.

It didn’t take Journey long to forget my big bark. She wiggled out of her crate and jumped on my head. I lay down so she could sniff me all over.

Then Journey ran to the pile of toys I set out for her and grabbed my most favorite tug toy I had when I was a puppy. She wrapped herself up like a princess and gave me a big smile.

I guess you could say it was love at first sight. After all these years, I had my own puppy. The thought of days ahead with Journey at my side brought tears to my eyes. Then she jumped on my head, grabbed a mouthful of fur, and the games began. It’s gonna be a good life, Journey, I promise.